English - Modernities - American & British Literature & Film

Course Outline
This MA introduces students to the advanced study of American and British literature and other cultural forms, from the eighteenth century to the present day, as well as to a selection of European and American theoretical works pertaining to the concept of 'modernity'. Under the guidance of leading scholars in their fields, students will encounter some of the most influential contemporary critical and theoretical models currently being applied to the notions of modernity and modernisation, and apply the ideas raised by these theories to a rich variety of works from the Romantic, Victorian, and modernist periods, and the later twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Texts studied range from those of canonical Romantics, including P.B. and Mary Shelley, major Victorian authors such as Charles Dickens, the influential modernists Ezra Pound and Virginia Woolf, to innovative recent and contemporary poets, novelists, dramatists, and filmmakers. Among theorists of modernity, students can expect to explore the thought of significant nineteenth-century thinkers, including Carlyle, Nietzsche, Marx, Freud, and to examine twentieth/twenty-first-century cultural theory in such fields as deconstruction, ecofeminism, and transhumanism. The encounter with these thinkers and movements will aid the student in debating and developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of the broader culture in this era.

Course Practicalities
The course involves a combination of seminars, consultation, presentations and directed study as well as associated reading. You will carry out independent research for your dissertation in close consultation with your supervisor.

Continuous assessment includes written assignments, in-class exercises, seminar participation, research presentation, and online work.

Why Choose This Course
This course is the only MA in English offered by an Irish university that provides an advanced and coherent introduction to a selection of literary, theoretical, and other cultural works from the late eighteenth century to the present day.

The MA in English (Modernities) consists of two parts: a taught course and a dissertation totalling 90 credits.

Part I (50 credits)

EN6009 Contemporary Literary Research: Skills, Methods and Strategies (10 credits)
EN6028 Theories of Modernity (10 credits)
Choose 30 credits from:

EN6025 Literary and Cultural Modernisms (10 credits)
EN6026 Postmodernism (10 credits)
EN6027 Romanticism and Modernity (10 credits)
EN6020 Victorian Modernities (10 credits)

Part II (40 credits)

EN6017 Dissertation in English (40 credits)

Note: Subject to the approval of the MA programme coordinators, students may substitute one 10-credit module with one of the following 10-credit modules: Middle English Literature (EN6051), New Histories of the Book (EN6052), Old English Literature (EN6053), Renaissance Literature (EN6054), Earlier Literature and its Modern Reception (EN6063). Irish Cinema: History, Context, Aesthetics (FX6010).

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar

You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

To be considered for admission to an MA programme within the School of English, an applicant will normally possess a primary degree result of Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or higher or equivalent qualification in English or a cognate subject. All candidates must satisfy a Selection Committee who may request applicants to provide letters of reference.

For North American students a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 is expected.

The selection committee for the MA in the Department of English, University College Cork also attaches strong importance to the additional supplementary online questions and the online 500-word personal statement for the MA in English (Modernities: Literature, Theory and Culture from the Romantics to the Present).

International Master's Pathway – Higher Diploma in Academic Discourse and Skills

There is an alternative entry route for international applicants via the International Master's Pathway (IMP) – Higher Diploma in Academic Discourse and Skills (NFQ, Level 8). See the IMP page for more information.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

Please detail your computing/technical/IT skills.

Please enter the name and emails of two academic referees, for previous relevant academic performance, qualifications and aptitude.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early for an early decision.

Continuous assessment including written assignments, in-class assignments, seminar participation and presentation, research journal, literature and IT review and research presentation. You will have four written assessments (2000 words each) in the Modernities module and seminar participation.

90 Credits

1 year full time.

Start Date 7 September 2020

Skills and Careers Information
This course will provide you with an advanced understanding of an important period in literary and cultural history and knowledge of the theoretical tools required fully to understand this period. It will also equip you with a range of research skills designed to prepare you to present academic research in a variety of forms to a professional standard.